Philadelphia, PA – A Philadelphia family experienced a heartwarming miracle this week when their beloved dog, Forty, who had been missing for almost 11 years, suddenly returned to their lives.
The 2015 Disappearance
Forty, a terrier-type mix, was stolen from the family’s Mayfair home in May 2015, along with another dog, by a thief who snatched them out of the family’s backyard. The other dog eventually returned, but Forty was never seen again. The family searched tirelessly for him for years but eventually gave up hope when they moved to Luzerne County.
The Miraculous Return
Two months ago, Forty’s owner, Jourdyn, updated the contact information for Forty’s microchip with the company that created it, despite thinking that the now-elderly dog had likely passed away. That update played a crucial role in reuniting the family with Forty.
On Saturday night, ACCT Philly, the city’s animal care and control service, found Forty wandering the streets. Thanks to the updated microchip information, they were able to reach Jourdyn and share the unbelievable news.
Family’s Emotional Reunion
“I thought it was a joke. It’s just amazing, and I can’t believe after years that he was brought back to us,” an emotional Jourdyn told ABC 6. The family traveled to Philadelphia the next day, where they reunited with Forty for the first time in over a decade.
“He’s very old, and he’s going to go home with us and just live his best life for the rest of the time that we have with him,” Jourdyn said, fighting back tears.
The Importance of Microchip Updates
Animal rescue officials emphasized the importance of keeping a dog’s microchip information updated. They also encouraged people who find stray pets to have them scanned for a microchip before assuming the animal doesn’t have a home.
“Forty was clearly well cared for in recent years, with a nail trim and being quite clean,” an animal shelter spokesperson said. “But he could have gone back to his original family much sooner had he been scanned for a chip.”
